They study also says dog ownership was associated with a 33% lower risk of death for heart attack survivors living by themselves and 27% reduced risk of death for stroke survivors living by themselves, compared to people who did not own a pup.

“We know that social isolation is a strong risk factor for worse health outcomes and premature death. Previous studies have indicated that dog owners experience less social isolation and have more interaction with other people,” said Tove Fall, D. V. M., professor at Uppsala University in Sweden.